Jan 2010 babies and mothers....come here to hibernate!

[mistletoekisses]

New thread for us Jan 2010 mums. Will hopefully get busier as more of our little ones arrive!

Arrivals List
1st Dec - Missmarjoribanks - boy Thomas William Francis (33+4)
10th Dec - ClaireDB - girl Mira - 5lb 11.5oz (36+5)
11th Dec - Alibobins - boy Jacob, 6lbs 1oz (37weeks)
14th Dec - londonlottie - twin girls Juliet 6lb 1 and Eve 5lb 6 (35+5)
15 Dec - Whensmydayoff - girl Olivia - 6lb (36+6)
22 Dec - Liskey - girl Ellie - 5.5lbs
24 Dec - timmette/shinybaubles - boy Oliver - 7lb
25 Dec - Fakeplastictrees - boy Luke Edward
29 Dec - CantThinkofFunnyName - girl Olivia Iris - 6lbs 2 1/2oz
30 Dec - Liny - Nottinghamsire - girl Elise
1 Jan - TheMinnieBauble - boy Freddie - Weight TBC
2 Jan - nomorebboze - girl Megan - 5lbs 12oz
5 Jan - Fraochsmum - girl, name TBC - 6LBS 2oz
5 Jan - FlightofFancy - boy Edward - 6lb 14oz (37+3)
6 Jan - salvadory - girl Imogen
7 Jan - MistletoeKisses - boy Nicolas - 6lb 8oz
10 Jan- crumpette- boy 'babycrumpette'- 8lb 15 oz

ali If crying for a bit is going to rid you of a bit of the tension my advice is to do it. I really do feel for you as I am sure everyone else here does because they are so wee and when something goes wrong and the solution (if it comes at all) takes time, in the meantime it breaks your heart to hear them scream. Hugs to you... this too shall pass. Have you got enough support around you?

lottie Not really sure that this will help but I am getting a lot of shouting, pulling away, back arching with Aidan as well but I have put mine down to nipple confusion which sets in around now (4-6 weeks). At the moment, we are using a sarong (like the Amby Nest) plus a lullaby maker (playing heartbeat sounds) and he is sleeping good long stretches during the day. Down side is that by the time he wakes, it's been 3-5 hours since his last feed so he is properly starving so kicks up a huge fuss about having to work for his milk rather than being given it in a bottle. I've wrestled him into position (rugby hold) which I am not sure if the right thing to do (off to google) but they do keep telling us that BM is better than formula. ((hugs)) and I hope things start to turn a corner with this new issue. x

Hi everyone sorry I haven't been on in days have my hands full with ds1 as well since it's halfterm, and he's ill now diagnosed with an allergy to winter - I kid you not .
Ds2 Olivers marvellous reaction to the new milk Nutramigen is no more he is having an allergic reaction to that too and we will have to see the doctor tomorrow I think the next step will be neocate. I guess he has a serious allergy.
The pil are descending on Saturday and the house is a mess, I still have no period, we ae pretty broke and am feeling highly stressed. . Would cancel pil but ds1 is deperate to see them.

Now going to catch up on the new posts. Hope everyone is ok. The good news is Oliver sleeps like an angel.

aaarrgh - did a massive post last night and it disappeared - v frustrating!

Ali - firstly to you. I'm absolutely no expert, but has anyone indicated whether Jacob's problems might be related to reflux? It's just that I've been doing a bit of research past couple of days and there are a whole variety of symptoms depending upon the severity and everything you've mentioned Jacob has been struggling with, is at least a symptom of reflux, which you know he has. Apparently reflux is most common in premature, early and/or c-section babies. Although they do so that MOST babies have some degree of reflux but that often it is not diagnosed due to minor symptoms being displayed which is put down to "being a baby".

Symptoms include respiratory disorders, coughing, frequent hiccups, congestion, fevers, ear/throat infections, foul smelling breath due to acidity, weight loss, lack of weight gain, inability to thrive, screaming as though in pain, pulling away from feeds, not feeding very much before giving up, posseting during and after feeds including through the day and many hours after a feed - there are others, but these, at least, seem to fit Jacob - do they not? Many also fit Olivia and I'm pretty sure she doesn't have it bad, but enough for me to know that something wasn't right. There is a good website www.cryingoverspiltmilk.co.nz that has good lots of information as does www.kellysmom.com. Might be worth you persevering with medics perhaps? Sorry if any of that sounds as though teaching grandma to suck eggs or patronising - certainly not meant to be, I just wondered whether GP had put 2 and 2 together IYKWIM?

Lottie - really wonder about your two little girls too and reflux? It does come in differing degrees and I specifically said to GP that it is not every day and not every feed with Olivia - but he didn't seem to think it was an issue...

Sockmonkey - LOL at feeding during meal times. Can we count cups of tea/coffee in that too? I'm losing count of the amount of cups I'm pouring away, rotten cold . Also hoping you feel better soon.

Somewhat - how are you getting on with your tweaking of routine? Any better?

Crumpette - get thee some Infacol and start using pronto! It's not poison and I promise you, you will notice a difference with James. It sounds pretty much like colic and the only thing that will really help that is infacol, cranial osteopathy, baby massage and getting to 12 weeks, when more often than not, it disappears overnight! Also, get thee to GP about your bleeding and just for my selfish needs, please do post your "long story" about family upsets in the past. I'm a v nosy person .

Mama2b5 - I reaaaaaalllly do NOT want to hear about you being in pre preg jeans ! My old clothes don't go anywhere near my mahoosive ass at the moment. I reckon I'm a good 2 sizes up on the bottom half. Top half doing OK but have gone distinctly pear shaped . Hoping that I can shift some pounds now following Weightwatchers diet and have started 2 different post natal DVDs - which btw, are pretty fab. Davina (of course) and an American lady called Erin who does 15 minute workouts that are fairly pilates based, so nice and easy and working the pelvic floor lots.

MK - well done on the laundry front! Which reminds me... I have a huge pile!

Newbeginning - £7 per week? That is truly outrageous . Can you appeal?

Verycherry - welcome and as you have seen, you are certainly not alone!

On a positive note, Olivia has had a marked improvement since applying Gaviscon powder to her feeds. I've managed to consistently get 3-4oz feeds down her since yesterday and although symptoms haven't disappeared, I can honestly say they have improved and (TMI alert) - the poo I've had out of her today shows that something has drastically changed in her stomach!! Quite "full" and now a combination of yellow and green instead of the green we've had over past few weeks. It was yellow at birth.

I've also been shopping today with DD1 and DD2 (still feels funny writing that)! We have a wedding to go to in Wales on Easter Weekend so bought DD1 lovely dress AND AND AND managed to buy myself FAB outfit too! Was most impressed when size 16 was too big, and size 14 fitted beautifully. Am usually a size 12 (or on a good day between 10-12), I say, "am usually" - you know what I mean!
I have a way to go until I can reach size 12 again - approximately 2 stone!!

Anyway, this was a mahoosive post and hope I haven't bored anyone reading this!

Shiny - sorry X-posted. to hear about Oliver and your troubles. Let us know how you get on at doctor tomorrow.

ctofn think you are so right that most babies have an element of reflux, am glad the gaviscon seems to be helping Olivia. Luca had a great day sat after starting it on friday but has been pretty horrendous since. I did read that crying/colic/unsettledness peaks around 6-8 wks so am just hoping he will be on the downhill to settledness soonish.

Luca definitely gets overtired and then is absolutely awful and won't sleep, monday he was awake from 14.30 to 01.00 mostly screaming twas hell on earth indeed. He is asleepin his pram now so am hoping he'll settle after bath time and maybe sleep for the evening

newbeginning1 your HV does not sound v helpful or supportive at all, hope the next one can support you a bit better.

Sending calming vibes to all with gaseous and refluxy LO's, I have to say in this instance Google is a godsend, there are some great tips and advice out there as long as you stay away from the 'medical' sites.

I gave up on the alteration to routine as the screaming/tantrum was too much (turns out I'm a pushover mommy). However think I may have been pushing the BF too long, DH found a great site that said not to allow yourself to be used as a mummy dummy and that when LO starts to just sit on booby with just an occasional suck (or just starts playing silly buggers) to end the feed , done it on the last 2 feeds and 1hr feed is now 20-25min and Tobin is lasting to next feed just fine! Turns out they can get overtired feeding if they take too long about it, then they won't settle for a nap, then won't feed well next time cos they're tired. Feel like a bit of a numpty for not having thought of that b4 . Will let you know how it goes.

Evening all

NewBeginnings - the infacol has made a difference, today is very noticeable. He has actually napped very well all day (hence the getting on top of all the housework/ laundry/ ironing - I even baked cakes!)
Cannot believe the difference in payments! Have no idea how the CSA works? Any grounds for appeal? Is your relationship with the father amiable? Would he offer to pay more? Sorry if the questions are too intrusive - feel free to ignore! Also let us know how you got on with the different HV.

Sock - hope you day was ok in the end.

Verycherry - welcome!

Lottie- believe you me, your post sounds very full on! I have said it before and will say it again! I take my hat off to you and some others on here. DH is also ridiculously busy so I have been alone the last few days/ nights and i have found it tough. to you.

Ali - you have so much going on, no wonder you feel completely overwhelmed. Have you spoken to your GP? Please do! I may be out of line here, but if you have PND, you need to speak to someone asap. A good friend got PND and a few weeks into treatment was a different person!

shiny - to you also. hope the PIL visit helps...are they helpful to have around?

CTFN - so glad the gaviscon is helping. The infacol is also helping us, feeding back to 3 hourly during day and today was the first day EASY worked. Fell asleep after activity without feeding..such a relief! Nico refuses a dummy but he is really trying to get his thumb in his mouth, so think he may be a thumb sucker. But i was worried that lack of dummy made it harder to settle. Once DH and mum are back around, am going to work on settling into cot al night.

SWH - hope the tweaks work!

right am off, bath and bedtime about to commence!

Thanks for all the hugs I really needed them today

ctofn The consultant Jacob is seeing is the same one I see for Ds1 and he is really good so I hope we get to the bottom of things then x x I've never delt with reflux so haven't got a clue about it x x

mk I'll be okay hopefully in a few days just feeling a bit rubbish have not even managed to eat today just feel so bleurgh

lottie I can't even imagine what life is like with twins but it sounds exhausting

shiny ope you manage to get Oliver sorted soon

newb can't believe your health visitor

maygirl hope your blood pressure is okay

Hope everyone else is okay

alibobins ((hugs)) to you, crying helps sometimes it's best to let it out, not that I'm saying you should cry, I just mean it's OK (shut up crumpette) how is Jacob meant to take an inhalor?

shiny sorry to hear about Oliver's allergy hope they can sort it

verycherry congratulations and welcome!! I love the name Luca I wanted it as a middle name for DS (still might slip it in there when DP not looking)

CTFN I shall indeed divulge all my long story if you so wish, you made me laugh! Will need a while though!!

Good point re the infacol, the screaming has already started today, about 10 mins ago (yes, I am on MN and he is screaming at me, bad bad mummy ) but at night it does last for hours on end and I can't feed him or console him in any way at all. I used it with DD for a while and I seem to remember it helped (and tastes of fake oranges?) I think I have no choice, he seems to be in a lot of pain for hours and then is fine?

Had a trying day! Got baby weighed but it took 2.5 hours as 14 babies were in front of me at the clinic though James is now on the 75th centile! he's such a piglet! Had an idiot comment from HV weighing about me having him in babybjorn carrier and not a pram?? Apparently he should be in a pram, according to giant HV lunatic who probably has no children. She also terrified someone by saying her child was too tiny and another was told her baby was jaundiced, I am a bit of a jaundice expert and the baby was not jaundiced, whites of eyes were completely white and clear ! Nuts!
Then the mother and the sister visited and the mother got hideously drunk at lunch and caused a huge scene in the restaurant and I wanted to shrink to the size of a mouse I was so embarrassed!
Would moan more but DP demanding laptop grr wants to do some urgent work for tomorrow, how dare he I need my MN fix!!

ali I've just seen your post. Please please eat something and take care of yourself. You need to be strong for your LOs, you've been through so much recently and you must be exhausted emotionally and physically but please force yourself to be kind to yourself, just a little bit? Can you take 30 mins out to have a relaxing bath and some dinner later? more hugs for you here (((hughughughughug))) oh and a few s! x

Urgh - spoke too soon. Just got to the end of a 2 hour screaming fit. Managed to get a couple of sips down Olivia then had to bath her to calm her down and then after managed about another oz! She is now asleep having exhausted herself from screaming .

Very very very much want a cigarette right now! Gave up last May when found out - hated it the whole pregnancy and these darn hormones, now they are receding, so is the foul smell and taste of cigarettes! For some bizarre reason they seem tempting. Stupid stupid!!!

Forgive my ramblings...

I really don't know what I'd do without this thread to keep me sane

Jacob is currently grunting away in his moses basket lol

crumpette they have given him a spacer to take his inhalor with its like a big tube with a little mask at the end. I feel such a fraud moaning about Jacob being ill as it is nothing compared to what you went through with your Dd and

Well the snow is coming thick and fast now here you can't see my grass its all covered x x

Lottie - you seem to sum up everything we all feel. I love your analogy of finding The Perfect Solution and the smugness we feel only then to go two steps back again. So very very true!

Anyway, olivia now snuggling with DH so I get some MN time with a large Baileys! Have saved enough Weightwatchers points so far this week to allow that indulgence! I guess it will be bedtime in about 10 minutes once the alcohol hits

Ali - how are you feeling today? How much snow did you get?

Crumpette - how embarassing about your mum! Grr about your HV...the HV's where I had DS1 were honestly terrible, after the 6 week check where I was told a bunch of nonsense, I never went back. I dont need anyone with a checklist telling me what my DS should be doing by x weeks old. I am sure there are some great ones, but I am yet to find one.

CTFN - glass of baileys sounds far preferable to a cigarette. Stay away from the evil sticks, you did so well to quit once before!

Lottie - I think people look back with rose tinted glasses about their babies. I could have sworn that DS1 was an easier baby but have just looked back at my diary and he was just as unsettled around this age. Think most bubs become a little more unsettled around 6-8 weeks. Things got a whole lot better when he was around 12 weeks old...

We had another very unsettled night, we are full of cold.... I hate this miserable weather. But nearly the weekend! Yay!

Ali - ((hugs)) DS1 had an inhailor for a little while when he got a chest infection as a baby. It really helped. Hope you are all feeling better soon.

Lottie - Hope the girls did better last night. It's very scarey when DH/P leaves you to look after LOs on your own, especially for such a stretch of time. Hope all goes well. DH is currently in dealine week and had been working late every night. It's a PITA, but at least I only have one tiny baby to deal with.

Everyone seems to be doing so well with all these colicky/refluxy babies. I feel a bit of a fraud cos (fingers crossed) I've not had to deal with anything that traumatic and yet I still find reason to moan! (DS2 throwing up last night all over his bed for one ARGH)

Hope you all have good days. We have snow outside so will probably stay in.

We didn't end up with too much snow in the end just enough to cover everything but the roads are clear x x I'm feeling okay just got to get on with it really

Jacob really doesn't like the new milk he has a few sucks then looks at me as if to say what are you feeding me resulting in a very angry baby lol

Hope your colds get better soon x x

Morning all

crumpette Thanks, I am having a bit of a wobble about his name. We knew we were having a boy and just could nt think of/agree on a name having used 7 on previous 3 boys!

The night he was born we said we have to think of a name as he'll be here v soon - we both came up with Luca but I was'nt overkeen then obv he arrived and the paramedic who arrived with him half out was called Lucas. In my mad hormonal state I thought it was a sign!

Funny you are thinking of it for a middle name as Luca's middle name is James! Your mother sounds mad interesting.

MK reckon I am going to give infacol a try again as Luca v v windy and obv gets tummy pain which frequently wakes him. He could'nt settle properly after his 4.30 feed so came in with me to be cuddled tightly which seems to help (him not me!)

He had a good eve last night, settling in time for me to watch masterchef and my big fat gypsy wedding .

Am feeling bit stressed today, have visit from PIL on sat, they are wanting to move here which we def don t want. We have to tell them that on sat, have thread going about it in relationships if you want the whole story can t do link thing sorry.

Ali you have had such a rough tough time, be gentle on yourself you need someone to take care of you too. I know you've just got to get on with it but it does'nt make it any easier.

DS3 screamed unconsolably (sp?) and non stop, in the car, pram, everywhere, for up to 15 hrs a day for the first 16-17 wks. He did'nt smile or roll or do anything, he has fairly recently been dx with cerebral palsy, apparently babies with a neuro insult scream much more.

Not at all suggesting Jacob has cp, he obv has other issues wrt feeding etc just saying there is a very real reason why things are tough for you and you are allowed to think its crap and maybe admit you are not enjoying it - I found that hard/sad that his first months were just an endless slog of feeding and screaming. Am rambling now, Luca is asleep hanging over my arm which is about to break off. Will go and put him down to which he'll instantly wake....

Anyway hope you have a good day today and that Jacob gets used to his new milk.

Oh crumpette, it is just one thing after another isn't it? Hope the boiler and roof get sorted soon... pull the new baby card to see if it can get you anything sorted (got my Ikea sofabed in time for visitors only coz I pulled this out). To be fair, it should have arrived with plenty of time were it not for the snow and subsequently the redelivery of the broken part (typical Ikea).

I need opinions: so DS is outgrown his Philips Avent newborn feeding bottle as his formula feeds now measure more than the bottle will hold. Is there any peril in mixing brand of feeding bottles (and therefore teats)? I have a Medela one that came with the handpump and a newborn teat which may work temporarily but am thinking of introducing as well a MAM bottle and teat. Or are teats just teats and I am overthinking the issue?

Flyingma - give it a go - it can't hurt can it? But Olivia has a Phillips dummy and Phillips Avent bottles and when I gave her a Tommy Tippee dummy which has completely different shaped teat - she didn't get on with it at all and looked most confused!

flyingma no harm in trying we don't mix brands just because it's easier for us adults rather than the baby having issues . we had mam bottles for ds1 I bought loads liked the colours (shallow look on face) and for the life of me we couldn't get to grips with screwing them together properly. So ds1 had avent and ds2 has now tommee tippee.

alibobins persevere with the milk we are only now after 1 week getting Oliver to take his bottle with any enthusiasm - it is horrid milk.

lottie you are so right about thinking you have grasped something with babies only to have that smug look wiped from your face - and it carries on into toddlerhood.

Am waiting for dh and ds1 to come back from hospital he is getting worse and really a winter allergy .

Hi all, I am being a bit crap with this thread. I have tried to catch up and will do at the weekend.

Babymoo is now 17 days old! She is feeding like a pig but doing really well. HV came today and was actually nice and didnt patronise me like the others do!

Interesting that you can now store expressed breast milk in the fridge for 5 days - It 24 hours when I gave birth to babymoo

I have lost just over a stone since giving birth I have about 3 to go but its a start!

Sorry to hear that some of you are having problems. Fingers crossed everything works out for you all.

Tomorrow I am going to attempt bigmoo and babymoo hand and footprints! Wish me luck